Zoom Diallo had 22 points and Hannes Steinbach scored 21 to lead Washington to an 81-74 victory over Ohio State on Sunday. Diallo sank 7 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers and made all six of his free throws for Washington (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten Conference). Steinbach added nine rebounds and his three-point play ignited a 14-0 second-half run that gave the Huskies the lead for good.
Knicks use clutch late buckets to pull out gutsy 123-114 win over Trail Blazers
The Knicks pulled out a 123-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at the Moda Center.
Here are some takeaways...
- Josh Hart showed no signs of rust in his return following an eight-game absence due to an ankle injury. The forward drilled a three on the Knicks' second possession of the game, and knocked down three of his first four shots for eight early points. He played the first 4:08 seconds before being subbed out for Miles McBride.
- It wasn't just Hart, though, as New York got off to a strong offensive start as a team. They shot 54 percent from the field in the first but were struggling with Portland's athleticism on the other end, and after leading by as many as seven points, things were knotted up at 34 apiece at the end of the quarter.
The Knicks were a bit sloppy, turning the ball over four times, leading to 12 Blazer fastbreak points.
- Hart added four more points in the second quarter, but it was Karl-Anthony Towns who led the way for the Knicks. The big man had a bit of an injury scare but enjoyed a tremendous first half, producing 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting while reeling in seven boards, dishing three assists, and blocking two shots.
- Jalen Brunson had 11 points of his own, OG Anunoby 10, and Mitchell Robinson chipped in six, while McBride had an uncharacteristically slow start, missing his first six shots (five threes). New York struggled to slow down Shaedon Sharpe (14), Deni Avdija (13), and Caleb Love (11) on the other end, but still held a five-point advantage at the break.
- The Knicks came out of the locker room with energy, going on a 7-2 run thanks to Towns and Brunson. The big man drilled his second three of the night and Brunson put home a pair of lay-ins to help push the lead up to double digits for the first time in the game in the opening minutes of the second half.
Hart made his presence felt again, diving on the floor for one of his signature hustle plays to spark a Brunson fastbreak.
- Poor offense and defense let Portland right back into this one, though. The lead was cut back down to five heading into the fourth quarter, and just minutes into the frame, the Blazers were able to even things up on a Robert Williams III slam, then Avdija's lay-in plus the foul gave them the lead.
- Brunson was forced off the bench earlier than usual and quickly helped regain the lead. The teams traded buckets before the Knicks knocked down four straight clutch buckets to push the lead back to double digits. Anunoby drilled a pair of threes, McBride knocked down his first of the night, and Hart had a fastbreak lay-in.
Portland got the deficit back down to five, but New York was able to hold on for the much-needed victory.
- Hart played 31 minutes in his return from injury. He had 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field, dished six assists, pulled in three boards, had a pair of steals, and one block. New York is now an impressive 20-9 when the 30-year-old forward is in the lineup this season.
Brunson led all scorers with 26 points to go along with six rebounds and eight assists, Anunoby had 24 points, including two of the biggest threes of the game and seven boards, Towns chipped in 20 points and 11 rebounds. Robinson made his presence felt off the bench with 11 rebounds of his own.
New York attempted just eight free throws on the night, to Portland's 25.
Game MVP: OG Anunoby
Anunoby's clutch threes helped put this one away late in a back-and-forth fourth quarter.
Highlights
Welcome back, Josh Hart! 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/lk0ldGI8Y2
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 11, 2026
OG THROWS IT DOWN! pic.twitter.com/2YIiJm0Smi
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 11, 2026
Blocked by KAT 🚫 pic.twitter.com/nNmc7MBZjG
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 12, 2026
11 first-half points for Jalen Brunson 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ni4soNM1SA
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 12, 2026
Josh Hart is SO BACK pic.twitter.com/gbwhNt1kv3
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 12, 2026
Jalen Brunson floats it over Donovan Clingan! pic.twitter.com/8xVCnUUniN
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 12, 2026
Mikal Bridges for three! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/8pmx4T5puZ
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 12, 2026
What's next
The Knicks continue their road trip with a Wednesday night meeting with the Kings.
Tip is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. at the Golden 1 Center.
College football transfer portal: Alabama WR Isaiah Horton transfers to Texas A&M
Horton led all Alabama players with eight touchdown catches.
Keaton Wagler scored 19 points and No. 16 Illinois holds off No. 19 Iowa in 75-69 victory
Keaton Wagler scored 19 points, Andrej Stojakovic and Kylan Boswell each had 17 and No. 16 Illinois continued to win on the road in the Big Ten Conference, holding off No. 19 Iowa 75-69 on Sunday. The Illini (13-3, 4-1) won their fifth consecutive game and stayed tied for third place in the conference. Three of Illinois’ wins in conference play have come on the road — the Illini also won at Ohio State and Penn State.
Michigan State football lands Notre Dame WR KK Smith in transfer
After losing Nick Marsh to Indiana, Michigan State football is starting to reload at wide receiver.
No. 25 UCF beats Cincinnati 73-72 on Themus Fulks’ jumper in final seconds
Moustapha Thiam, who transferred from UCF to Cincinnati in the offseason, was booed on every touch and finished with a career-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting for the Bearcats (8-8, 0-3). Jizzle James added 14 points and Baba Miller had 13. The game was tight throughout.
Sabres Are Back On A Win Streak, But Buffalo GM Must Still Make Notable Additions Via Trades
The Buffalo Sabres have bounced back after having their major win streak snapped at 10 games in a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 3. The Sabres are now on a three-game win streak, with victories over the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks. And although it’s tempting for Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen to keep his team’s roster intact, it says here that Buffalo should still be adding talent by or before this season’s March 6 trade deadline.
For one thing, while it’s nice that the Sabres are stringing together more wins, they haven’t exactly been tested by the NHL’s best teams. The Canucks have been a disaster, the Rangers haven’t been much better, and the Ducks have been in a serious slump after a strong start. So Kekalainen & Co. can’t be complacent when it comes to making additions to his team.
In addition, even if the Sabres remain strong in the win/loss columns, they almost certainly are going to need to improve their depth by the deadline. The injury bug doesn’t spare many, if any teams, and the last thing Buffalo fans will want to see is the Sabres’ season prematurely ended because Kekalainen chose not to make depth additions.
Thus, it’s on Kekalainen to be proactive on the trade front. And that means either acquiring talent before the NHL’s Feb. 4 Olympic roster freeze, or by the trade deadline. Kekalainen has to send a message to his players that he’s prepared to help them make a Stanley Cup playoff push, and that means not standing pat.
If Sabres Are Going To Trade Tuch, Rangers Star Forward Should Be Their TargetThe Buffalo Sabres may not want to give star winger Alex Tuch a lucrative contract extension, considering a Tuch trade instead. Could New York Rangers' forward Vincent Trocheck be the perfect acquisition for the Sabres?The Sabres are going to face notable tests in their next five games, with tilts against the Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes. And with the Toronto Maple Leafs now right behind the Sabres in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference standings, Buffalo is going to need to be just as productive in the standings points department if they’re to be in the conversation for a playoff spot.
The Sabres have given their long-suffering fan base legitimate hope they can be a playoff team this year. And Kekalainen has to improve his team’s potency by picking up one or two experienced hands who can contribute meaningful minutes.
Sabres' Win Streak Ends At 10, But Now It's On Buffalo To Shake Off Loss And Start A New Win StreakThe Buffalo Sabres' 10-game win streak is over after a defeat at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. But now, their true test begins: can they shake off the loss and forge a new winning path, or disappoint their fans yet again?Sitting on his hands is not going to do Kekalainen much good. He needs to find a way to improve his group, and he’s only got a handful of weeks to do so. Time is of the essence with this Sabres team, and a lack of additions could be the difference between Buffalo missing or making the post-season.
Tonie Morgan helps Kentucky rally from 13-point deficit to beat Oklahoma 63-57
Tonie Morgan scored 21 points to lead No. 6 Kentucky to a 63-57 win over fifth-ranked Oklahoma on Sunday.
Morgan helps Kentucky rally from 13-point deficit to beat Oklahoma 63-57
Tonie Morgan scored 21 points to lead No. 6 Kentucky to a 63-57 win over fifth-ranked Oklahoma on Sunday. Kentucky opened conference play with an 80-78 win over 12th-ranked LSU on Jan. 1 in Baton Rouge. The Tigers were ranked No. 5 at the time.
Nets surrender game's final 13 points in 103-98 loss to Grizzlies
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Cedric Coward hit two late 3-pointers and scored 21 points to help the Memphis Grizzlies hold off the Brooklyn Nets 103-98 on Sunday.
Jock Landale added 16 points and nine rebounds, and Santi Aldama had 15 points and eight rebounds. Cam Spencer had 12 points and 12 assists in the Grizzlies' last game before their two-game series against Orlando in Berlin and London.
Noah Clowney and Tyrese Martin led the Nets with 17 points each, and Danny Wolf and Jalen Wilson scored 11 points each. Wolf also had 10 rebounds. Martin was 6 of 8, going 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
Brooklyn led 98-90 after Clowney split a pair of free throws with three minutes Memphis scored the final 13 points, with Coward's second late 3 giving the Grizzlies a 101-98 lead with just less than a minute left.
Memphis, which squandered a 21-point second-half lead Friday night in a loss to Oklahoma City, watched the Nets open the second half with a 17-6 rally to pull even at 67.
Michael Porter Jr., who had 18 points and six assists in Friday's 121-105 loss to the Clippers, sat for the game due to rest. The Nets are playing 17 games this month, and Sunday was the first night of a road back-to-back.
Memphis led by 16 in the first half and had a 61-50 advantage at the break.
Brooklyn only had five free throws in the half, compared to 14 for Memphis — a point Nets coach Jordi Fernandez made clear to the officiating crew several times.
Up next
Nets: At Dallas on Monday night.
Grizzlies: Play Orlando on Thursday night in Berlin and Sunday in London.
Rangers Recall Brennan Othmann At Heels Of Astonishing Loss To Bruins
The New York Rangers have recalled Brennan Othmann from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
In a corresponding move, the Rangers assigned Anton Blidh back to the Wolf Pack.
This call-up comes at the heels of the Rangers’ 10-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, which may have played a part in this move.
While Othmann has been called up a couple of times since the start of the 2025-26 campaign, he has only played six games for the Rangers, failing to record a point.
It’s been a difficult few months for Othmann, whose name has been the subject of trade rumors. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Oct. 16 that the Rangers are open to the idea of trading Othmann.
“I can’t really focus on that stuff,” Othmann said about the trade rumors in October. “That stuff is really all online, and I don’t know what’s true. I don’t know what’s false. I’ve just been super focused with Hartford and trying to get back up here.
Rangers Struggle To Find Words And Feel ‘Embarrassed’ After Blowout Loss To Bruins The New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a> allowed a season-high seven goals in their 10-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Satrday afternoon, marking the lowest point of the season.
“I mean, it’s no secret. A couple of the guys in Hartford were asking me and telling me about it, but I honestly was just playing hockey and taking each day, day-by-day. Keep moving forward and focusing on getting back here and playing at the NHL level at some point this year. I think I did a good job with it.”
In 23 AHL games this season, Othmann has posted six goals, eight assists, and 14 points.
It’s unclear if the 23-year-old forward will slot into the Rangers’ lineup for their Monday night matchup against the Seattle Kraken.
Champion Shaun Murphy crashes out of Masters on opening day
Murphy beaten 6-2 by China’s Wu Yize
UK champion Mark Selby also knocked out
Defending champion Shaun Murphy is out of the Masters after a shock 6-2 loss to China’s Wu Yize on the opening day of this year’s tournament at Alexandra Palace.
Wu, the world number 13, dominated from the outset and won the opening three frames, recording a superb break of 137 in the second.
Continue reading...Lakers hopeful Rui Hachimura will return from injury in the days ahead
It's still unclear exactly when Rui Hachimura will return for the Lakers after missing six games because of right calf soreness, but coach JJ Redick said the forward is trending toward playing soon.
That could be as early as Monday night when the Lakers play at the Sacramento Kings or Tuesday night when they play the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena.
Hachimura practiced Sunday and took extra shots after the session. “He was able to do everything in practice," Redick said.
Read more:Luka Doncic and LeBron James both falter at finish as Lakers lose to Bucks
Hachimura has been rehabbing for two weeks. He took part in a few practices and is eager to return.
Does he think he will play against the Kings?
“I think so. I think I felt good after [practice], but I got to check with the trainers and everybody and then we’ll see for tomorrow," Hachimura said.
When he does return, Hachimura will be on a minutes restriction and will probably come off the bench, Redick said.
Hachimura said his calf has “healed," giving him a chance to practice with the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers’ G League team.
Hachimura is averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 27 games. He is shooting 52.1% from the field and 44.5% from three-point range,
“I’m fine,” he said. “I feel good about it."
Hachimura is aware how calf injuries have led to more serious ailments for NBA players. Although staying healthy is a priority with free agency looming at the end of the season, Hachimura said his main concern is helping the Lakers win games.
Read more:Luka Doncic has a triple-double, but LeBron-less Lakers lose to Spurs
“I think at the end of the day ... I’m trying to help this team win. That’s the whole purpose of being here,” he said. “I’ve been here for four seasons now. I think I’m one of the guys that has been here the longest too, so I’m happy to be here playing with these guys. The coaches and everybody, I love these guys.
"Of course the contract and stuff is coming up. But at the end of the day I’m just trying to focus on everyday, just in the moment. ... We got a second half that is coming. As a team too, but for me, I got to be ready for the playoffs.”
NBA suspends Kings guard Dennis Schroder
A day after the NBA suspended Sacramento point guard Dennis Schroder three games for confronting and attempting to strike Luka Doncic after a game on Dec. 28, Redick offered little insight into the incident.
“It's a league matter,” Redick said. “So, I don't really have a comment on it, to be honest with you. They made their decision. And it's up to them.”
The league said the incident occurred approximately 40 minutes after the game when Schroder sought out Doncic in a Crypto.com Arena hallway and initiated the confrontation.
The two had been sniping at each other all game, with Doncic at one point taunting Schroder for not signing an $84-million contract with the Lakers in 2021.
After the game, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, Schroder was hiding and waiting to attack Doncic in the hallway.
Redick was asked if he was aware of what happened.
“There's very few things I'm not aware of,” Redick said.
For his part, Schroder posted on social media, “Attempting,” with several emojis.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Devils remain winless on road trip with 4-3 loss to Jets
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Tanner Pearson broke a tie at 6:17 of the third period and the Winnipeg Jets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Sunday for their first back-to-back victories since mid-November.
Pearson took a pass from Josh Morrissey in front of the net and beat Jake Allen.
The Jets beat Los Angeles on Friday night to end an 11-game losing streak. They last won two straight Nov. 15-18. Winnipeg also won a one-goal game for the first time since Nov. 15, snapping an NHL record of 13 consecutive losses.
Alex Iafallo, Jonathan Toews and Gabriel Vilardi also scored, and Morrissey and Cole Perfetti each had two assists. Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves.
Winnipeg-born Cody Glass scored twice for New Jersey. Nico Hischier also had a goal, and Allen stopped 18 shots. The Devils have lost four consecutive games for the first time since early December.
Iafallo opened the scoring with 1:10 left in the first period on a shot that deflected in. Hischier tied it 37 seconds later off a rebound.
Glass gave the Devils the lead at 1:05 of the second when he redirected a pass from Luke Hughes. Toews tied it at 2:36.
New Jersey defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler’s shot went in just under a minute later, but the Jets successfully challenged for goaltender interference because Paul Cotter had bumped into Hellebuyck.
Glass put New Jersey ahead at 8:08, and Vilardi countered with his 18th of the season when he batted the puck in with 2:03 left in the second.
Up next
Devils: At Minnesota on Monday night.
Jets: Host the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
Warriors' kryptonite, dire need for roster changes exposed by the athletic Hawks
Warriors' kryptonite, dire need for roster changes exposed by the athletic Hawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors, on Sunday, walked into Chase Center hoping to extend an encouraging segment of the season and encountered their kryptonite.
They ran into Atlanta, whose roster is built to expose and exploit their most obvious vulnerabilities, and were overrun in a 124-111 loss that served as a harsh reminder of the Warriors’ shortcomings – literally – while sounding yet another alarm for their front office.
The roster is profoundly defective. As good as the Warriors have been of late, rediscovering offense and winning eight of their previous 11 games, their margin for error remains thinner than dollar-store tissue.
The Warriors are short; the Hawks are lengthy. The Warriors are light on elite athleticism; the Hawks could assemble a very good 400-meter relay squad. The Hawks showcased active, disruptive defenders and had enough shooters to take full advantage of the havoc they created against Golden State.
Kryptonite.
“They got a lot of long, lanky dudes, especially with their guard play,” De’Anthony Melton said.
“We struggled to get paint touches tonight,” Stephen Curry said. “The ball was kind of just swinging around the perimeter, and they were able to keep five bodies on bodies. That’s usually what good defenses do. Tonight, we didn’t have that answer.”
After carefully disassembling the Warriors in the first half, taking a 59-53 lead, Atlanta came out in the third quarter and took away their composure, sending them reeling and relapsing into a bad old habit.
Turnovers. Specifically, the live-ball giveaways. Golden State committed five in the pivotal third quarter, giving the Hawks 13 points. The damage at the final buzzer: 16 turnovers, for 28 Atlanta points.
The Warriors, conversely, forced nine turnovers, leading to 11 points.
“They just played a great game,” coach Steve Kerr said of the Hawks. “We couldn’t turn them over. They shot it lights out, had 32 assists, only seven turnovers. I didn’t think we played poorly. I didn’t think we played that well. Obviously, 10-for-42 (from deep), we needed to shoot better. But more than anything, they just played a great game and deserved it.”
The result is another night in which Curry did plenty of scoring – 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting, only 3-of-11 from deep – and it wasn’t enough. Jimmy Butler III put in 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 2-of-6 beyond the arc. Didn’t matter.
Not when the rest of the team managed only 50 points on 42-percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from distance, while committing 11 of the 16 turnovers.
The Warriors led by as much as 10 in the first half, only to trail by as much as 25 in the second. They were outscored 20-7 over the final 6:07 of the third quarter.
Golden State’s offense seemed strangled in its efforts to penetrate a defense that featured 6-foot-9 Jalen Johnson, 6-foot-9 Onyeka Okongwu and 6-foot-11 Mouhammed Gueye up front, with 6-foot-7 defensive ace Dyson Daniels and 6-foot-5 Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the backcourt.
“Usually, there’s going to be one or two guys that you can kind of go at to create an advantage,” Curry said. “Doesn’t mean they’re just going to do that olé defense and just let you get to the paint. But you can create an advantage and then make them react, get the ball moving side to side. We did that well for short spurts out of the game. You just got to be able to have composure and attack if you have a little bit of an angle just to get downhill.”
Turns out Kerr was prophetic in the comments he made about the Hawks two hours before tipoff.
“We know how good they are defensively, with length everywhere,” Kerr said. “It’s really a game where we have to really keep it simple, make good decisions, and keep control of the game, make them score in the halfcourt.”
Mission not accomplished. And it won’t be the last time with Golden State’s current roster. Upgrades are needed to compete at the highest level of the Western Conference.
The Jonathan Kuminga trade market, which has been cool, opens on Thursday. The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 5, 25 days away.
To recover from a decisive loss and on Tuesday resume sustaining their recent surge, the Warriors will need to play near-perfect basketball – and hope it is enough.
They won’t have to be so flawless if they’re able to somehow, over the next 25 days, bring in a couple productive players with the goods to counteract kryptonite.